Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to the publication of new report on genome editing
The National Academies of Sciences (NAS) and National Academy of Medicine (NAM) have published a new report, Human Genome Editing: Science, Ethics, and Governance. read more
expert reaction to study using CRISPR in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
New research published in Nature Communications looks at ways of using the genome editing tool CRISPR to restore full-length dystrophin in mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. read more
expert reaction to allowing some people to continue to self-injure
An opinion piece published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, from the BMJ Journals group, looks at the ethical and clinical implications of allowing self-harm in mental health units. read more
expert reaction to media reports of an explosion at Flamanville nuclear power plant in France
An explosion and fire have occurred at the Flamanville nuclear plant on France’s northern cost. read more
shift work linked to lowered fertility in women
Publishing in Occupational & Environmental Medicine new research claims women working non-daytime shifts and those with physically demanding jobs had fewer mature oocytes – on average – compared with women who worked day-only shifts. read more
expert reaction to study looking at role of non-daytime shift work and physically demanding jobs on women’s fertility
Publishing in Occupational & Environmental Medicine new research claims women working non-daytime shifts and those with physically demanding jobs had fewer mature oocytes – on average – compared with women who worked day-only shifts. read more
expert reaction to study on teen vaping and future smoking
Published in Tobacco Control new research claims vaping can lead to tobacco smoking in teenagers. read more
toxicant exposure of users of e-cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy and tobacco
There is broad agreement that e-cigarettes are much less dangerous than tobacco but data on their actual health effects in humans are sparse. read more
expert reaction to study on contraceptive efficacy of Vasalgel in male rhesus monkeys
New research publishing in Basic and Clinical Andrology reports that new contraceptive “Vasalgel” provided effective birth control in rhesus monkey groups for more than one year. read more
expert reaction to research on toxin exposure of smokers, vapers and NRT users
In a new cross-sectional study publishing in the Annals of Internal Medicine scientists examined human exposure to cigarette smoke compared with e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement. read more
expert reaction to two papers on gene therapy for deafness in mice
Two papers publishing in Nature Biotechnology have reported – in a mouse model of Usher syndrome – the efficient delivery of genes to the inner ear, which led to an unprecedented correction of hearing loss and balance symptoms. read more
expert reaction to Prof Sir Mark Walport being appointed as chief executive of UKRI
It has been announced that the new CEO of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) will be Professor Sir Mark Walport. read more
expert reaction to e-cigarettes and cardiovascular risk
Researchers publishing in JAMA cardiology compared heart rate variability and markers of oxidative stress between e-cigarette users and non-users. read more
fighting restrictions on UK researchers is best way to show solidarity with our friends across the pond
There are worrying reports from the US suggesting that the Trump administration may be about to restrict government scientists from communicating their findings openly. read more
expert reaction to CRISPR cows with TB resistance
Scientists publishing in Genome Biology report that they have produced cloned cattle with increased resistance to bovine TB. The researchers used the genome editing tool CRISPR/Cas9 to alter the genetic code of the cattle. read more
expert reaction to study attempting to create human/pig chimera embryos using stem cells
Scientists publishing in Cell attempted to make interspecies chimeras – both rat/mouse chimera embryos, and human/pig chimera embryos, and reported both the successes and difficulties they faced. These techniques are of interest because they may advance understanding of the developing embryo, and may in future offer the possibility of growing human tissues in animals for transplants, although this is not yet possible.
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expert reaction to anti-Tau drug in animal models of Alzheimer’s
Publishing in Science Translational Medicine researchers claimed a drug targeting Tau – a protein that builds up in the brains of people with some neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s – prevented loss of brain cells in experimental animals.
expert reaction to study reporting functional mouse pancreatic islets grown in rats and transplanted into mice
Scientists publishing in Nature have shown that is it possible to generate rat/mouse chimeric pancreatic tissue by injecting mouse stem cells into rat early embryos. read more
Could overcooking some foods cause cancer?
Acrylamide is a chemical that is created naturally when many foods, particularly starchy foods like potatoes and bread, are cooked for long periods at high temperatures, such as when baking, frying, grilling, toasting and roasting. read more
expert reaction to sea levels and sea surface temperatures
Researchers publishing in Science have reported that sea surface temperatures during the last interglacial may have been no warmer than today. read more